The Last Conspirators
/ Press

"A lot of lip service is paid to “rock ’n’ roll,” but some people really do have it in their veins, not just on their t-shirts. Tim Livingston has led this Hudson Valley, NY band for four albums starting with 2007’s Warparty, and they’ve got the backbeat, scratchy guitars, and sweaty groove that differentiates detached dilettantes from loving lifers. Beyond a mix of mostly mid-tempo styles, he and co-Conspirator (couldn’t resist that) Nick Bisanz especially succeed when striking a timeless pub rock-ian pose, on the smacking opener “Perfect Lovers in a Complicated World,” manic closer “Look at Me One More Time,” and streamlined “Russian Eyes” and “Fortune Teller”—with the R&B bite of Ducks Deluxe, 101ers, and closer to Albany, New London, CT’s Reducers. Speaking of those 101ers, there’s also plenty of Joe Strummer slur/pep in Livingston’s vocals. That’s a thought he always holds."

Jack Rabid - Big Takeover Magazine

"…now back with an equally powerful platter that’s at once more nuanced and sonically textured than its predecessor. Hold That Thought Forever isn’t short of fury, mind you, for “nuanced” doesn’t connote “mellowed out”—far from it…. deliberately less political and more personal than the last one, and that comes through loud and clear. The album’s no less defiant and, in places, caged-animal wounded, though. Sometimes the politics of the heart are the most challenging of all…"

"“The Last Conspirators, a band who like to call themselves a powerful rock ‘n’roll band,” but there is actually a hell of a lot more to them than just power. You see the eleven tracks contained on ‘Hold That Thought Forever’ .. slowly but surely worm their way into your subconscious so that all of a sudden you’ll find yourself humming the likes of ‘Russian Eyes’ (perhaps the most immediate track on this album) and album opener ‘Perfect Lovers In A Complicated World’ without even realizing it. And therein lies this album’s true appeal. It’s a real grower..."

"...the record feels like an exciting step into the future... this latest batch of songs expands the band's sound palette... In the past, the Last Cons' music has often grappled with societal injustice and malaise. In contrast, the songs on Hold That Thought Forever, while retaining the same focused commitment, are much more about the politics of the heart..."

““New York State pop-rockers The Last Conspirators’s fourth album takes charge with muscular songs, written by singer Tim Livingston and guitarist Nick Bisanz, that demand attention. We’re playing four tracks in rotation, all surging with crunchy guitars, great hooks and Livingston’s urgent vocals: “Perfect Lovers in a Complicated World,” “Fortune Teller,” “Russian Eyes,” and “Two Days in May,” a powerful ballad. Now playing in rotation and thrilling music lovers worldwide.””

““Produced by Conehead Buddha’s Chris Fisher at his Easter Island Studios in Coxsackie, Hold That Thought Forever is the new line-up’s debut (the band’s fourth release over-all), and all but one of the album’s 11 songs are co-written by frontman Tim Livingston (a veteran of the Morons and Ghostrunner) with Bisanz. And the personnel shifts seem to be reflected in a new direction…
With the exception of the potent, chugging “The Truth and a Gun,” the song lyrics eschew the band’s usual political rage in favor of more personal examinations of passion. Affairs of the heart, desire and obsession (especially on “1302,” “Tracks” and the slinky “Addiction”) have moved to the foreground. And musically, the new album finds the band leaning toward a more mainstream rock approach, beginning with the opening power-pop romp through “Perfect Lovers in a Complicated World.” The new wave-ish “Fortune Teller” starts out on a vibe reminiscent of Split Enz’s “I Go”

“Their previous lp, 2013’s A Celebration of Fury was damn good, but I like this one more. Lyrically it’s a lot less political than their previous records, a more personal affair and most of the cuts were co-written by Livingston and guitarist Nick Bisanz (Al Kash is still on drums and they have a new bassist in Mike Grundy). Opening cut “Perfect Lovers in a Complicated World” is a terrific, driving opener (Clash influence for sure) while moodier/darker cuts like “1302” and “Two Days in May” toss in minor chords, but have a dark edge that sucks you in. Elsewhere, “Russian Eyes” is a hooky cut while “The Truth and a Gun” is the one cut where they put their political hat on and add some boogie guitar (not my favorite here) and “Fortune Teller chucks in a new wave influence (think The Cars) and will get your toe tappin’. I like the direction these guys are going in and who knows, maybe LP #5 will be here before the end of the year (back in the studio, guys).”

"...The fact that The Last Conspirators have gone for a more eclectic sound on this record shows how many bands truly influence them as a unit and brings the history of music to the fore front as they continue to push on with new tunes..."

"..the Last Conspirators continue to burn the punk flame, and Hold That Thought Forever sounds like it could have come out two or three after their debut single — it’s not as whipass a strain of punk (well, not as fast, anyway) but it’s definitely in the slightly more sophisticated punk wheelhouse also occupied by Joe Strummer’s Mescaleros albums (and still neatly retro the way you want it to be). Plenty of killer songs that are still very much in a super-cool punk-veering-into-rock mode — opener “Perfect Lovers in a Complicated World” is straight-up punk single sweetness, “The Truth and a Gun” is about as garage as you can possibly get, “Blow Away the Sky” is one of those Clash-y fist-raised anthems that you look for on albums like this. I also love the groovy “Addiction,” the tense-as-hell “1302” and the fuzzy/swingin’ “Alright.” If you dig tapping into the main vein of rock and roll — and you should, because it’s the absolute real deal, folks

“(“Hold That Thought Forever” Review) "…straddling the line between punk-poetry and deep soul-searching.. powerful stuff.. the band known on past releases for their balls to the wall punk, have found a way, with this their fourth album, to take it to another level.. a lot of diversity on this album.. that they should be proud of it.. a very, very good record and a strong contender, in this the early stages of 2016, for local album of the year!"”

Howe Glassman - WEXT 97.7 FM

"They're true believers, keeping the rock & roll flame burning even if it may no longer be fashionable to do so. Not that this quartet cares much for fashion. Protest and passion are at the forefront, with the band often coming across like an Americanized, middle-aged version of the Clash. The Last Conspirators are proudly American, waging war against complacency and cherishing the rebels and outsiders on the fringes of American culture. Similarly, they like playing music that's part of the tradition and they wear their scars proudly, playing with the gravity and ballast that survivors have… They're all about raging against the light, whether it's dying or burning bright..."

"…the band declares, per this seven-songer’s second track, “Radio Warfare.” Against a jungle-rock throb and ominous shards of spaghetti western guitar, Livingston decries the namby-pamby state of popular media. A few songs later, in the galloping Clash-like “No Time for Egos,” the group calls for a putting aside of personal agendas in the service of solidarity—heavy stuff indeed, and if that sounds like the Conspirators flirt with agitprop, well… how are you gonna get people to open their eyes without an initial round of provocation, anyway? Methinks Joe Strummer would make these guys his new favorite band were he still alive… Livingston & Co. draw strength from the past in order to more purposefully pursue the present. The rest of us can count The Last Conspirators among the good guys, the ones who desperately want us to make every moment count in the here and now…."

"Original punks like ex-Morons Tim Livingston don’t grow old, because life is never short on legitimate irritations—and because it’s still fun to kickstart real rock ’n’ roll’s engines with a guitar. Thus the “fury” celebrated on his Hudson Valley, NY band’s third LP (following 2007’s Warparty and 2010’s When It All Comes Down) refers to the on-target attack in word and sound. It’s a ’60s garage, pub rock, and Joe Strummer-fueled tempest, recorded in what sounds like “press-record-’n-go” full-bleed live context; so a boast like “Last One Standing” is 2013’s update to The Clash’s scathing “Last Gang in Town,” maybe. A Link Wray/Wipers-like diatribe “Radio Warfare” is the highlight, but from the single “Powerful Friends” to the call to arms “No Time For Egos,” it’s Fury’s furious, for sure".

Jack Rabid - The Big Takeover Magazine

"Seven-track effort of revolutionary rock n roll… suitable stirring. "No Time for Egos", "Radio Warfare", "Last Ones Standing" the title track etc.. Musically, they're in that Blasters, later period X rock & roll vein and the slower efforts pay more than a nod to 'Elvis'. 'Tis growing on me, for sure."

RK - Maximum RockNRoll Magazine

“Metroland Magazine Readers Poll Best Punk Band 2014 - #1 The Last Conspirators "Frontman Tim Livingston is a punk road warrior, and his psych-tinged quartet have more than made an impact on the region."”

“'Celebration' Revels in the Spirit of Loud, Blistering Rock
"The Albany-based band The Last Conspirators always have something to say. And they say it loudly. And with conviction. Their new release, "A Celebration of Fury," is no exception…. Singer-songwriter Livingston states his case in the anxious, angular "Last Ones Standing," as he is among those… other standouts include "Radio Warfare" (which recalls early Eric Burdon), the controlled chaos of "Powerful Friends," and the Ray Davies-sounding "Desperate Skies."… Livingston and crew steadfastly refuse to get old, mellow and fade away, and are all the better for it. Music to shake your fist to, and maybe even get out of your comfort zone. That's real rock. Right?"”

" Tim Livingston’s Last Conspirators opened the show with an inspired set of punk-inspired tunes that fit the tone of the evening well. The band made its own nod to The Who with the thrilling stop-start motion of “A Celebration of the Fury” and the irresistible chorus of
“Last Ones Standing.”

Michael Eck - Times Union

"Hudson Valley stalwarts The Last Conspirators, featuring former Morons and Ghostrunner frontman Tim Livingston, kicked off the night with a raging set of their own, previewing material from their upcoming third album. Livingston brought good old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll fury to the stage, hamming it up for the crowd on new highlight “Radio Warfare” and older tracks such as “A Celebration of Fury” and the rollicking “Two Cats in Suits.”

““Local vets the Last Conspirators opened the show in grand style, pumping out rock-solid songs over the humungous beat of Al Kash, the nuanced psychedelic slinkiness of my new favorite guitarist Terry Plunkett, and, of course, the boundless voltage of the irrepressible Tim Livingston."”

““... Albany’s Last Conspirators have unleashed another shot across the bow of a too-often-complacent rock soundscape. The songs evince an unshaken belief in the punk-rock ethic... the music is anything but punk-by-numbers agitprop... The Conspirator’s sonic DNA is encoded with elements of glam, post-punk, psychedelia, and roots-rock... It’s never too late for music with this much craft and heart.””

"A five-song follow-up to Warparty, this equally potent recording hints these guys are not only are on to something good, they're just getting started. Fronted by Upstate NY punk legend, Tim Livingston (whose credits go back to Killed-By-Death style Albany punks, the Morons), the band fills the same sonic space as the Clash, Adverts, Ruts, Stiff Little Fingers and New Model Army. If you want to know where the real songwriters in punk are this day and age, look no further" - Big Takeover Magazine (Bryan Swirsky)

Bryan Swirsky - The Big Takover Magazine

"Sign me up for the Tim Livingston punk-rock workout video. The magnetic frontman of Albany’s Last Conspirators frog-hopped up and down during “Tribulation Blues,” sank down to his haunches to belt the semi-ironic “Long Live TV,” and stalked energetically about the stage while drummer Al Kash, guitarist Terry Plunkett and bassist Nick Bisanz bashed out a set of straight-up, old school rockers."

"All in all, the Last Conspirators’ A Celebration of Fury must be considered one of the best local discs of the year. The album was expertly written and produced.. hard-edged, haunting vocals... jangling distorted guitars.. not only catchy, but chill-inducing..."

“THE TIMES UNION BEST CDS OF 2007 The Last Conspirators WARPARTY (Driving Rain) - " The most potent politically charged disc of the year, walking the tightrope between punk passion and polished professionalism.""”

GREG HAYMES - TIMES UNION

“Best Local Recordings of 2010
"Tim Livingston’s quartet have pulled off a rare balancing act. The sociopolitical character of his songs are given such confidently forceful flight by the taut guitar-bass-drums that the music is not a backing track to broadsides, but its beating heart equal. It’s also a well-known fact that if you don’t have a good drummer you might as well stay home, and in Al Kash, the Last Conspirators have a great one."”

Staff Picks - Metroland Magazine

““Produced by Chris Fisher (Conehead Budda) at Easter Island Studios, The Last Conspirators’ “When It All Comes Down” is the follow-up to the band’s recent “Warparty,” and it continues with its rocking apocalyptic themes. The Hudson Valley-based band features leader Tim Livingston on vocals, the venerable Al Kash (Savoy Brown, Commander Cody) on drums, Terry Plunkett on guitar and Jeff Sohn on bass. From the ominous “Luther Hamilton Blues,” facetious (we hope) “Long Live TV” (powered by a dreamy surf guitar and impassioned vocal) and the revolutionary taking inventory rant of “Who Wants A Revolution Anyway,” the Last Conspirators rock — and rock hard. There’s a sense of history here, a tip of that hat to what came before, but a firm, non-nostalgic acknowledgement of where we are now, which is needed and appreciated.”
—”

““Tim Livingston gets political in a punk rock way on the Last Conspirators' sophomore release, "When It All Comes Down."Tracks like "Luther Hamilton Blues" and "Who Wants a Revolution Anyway" sizzle with old school rock 'n' roll rage, backed by a crack rhythm section and Terry Plunkett's big guitar.With its surf-inflected guitar breaks and pointed lyrical lampooning, "Long Live TV,... conjures a melodic, mellower Dead Kennedys. Best is "It's Late," a ballad about the fears and joys in a long-term relationship..."”

“The Last Conspirators bring a welcome, Information Age crunch to the tough, melodic sounds of late ’70s/early ’80s Brit-punk; think The Clash, The Jam, maybe The Ruts or the UK Subs, but with slightly glossier production values and lyrics that take shots at the soul-sucking, high-tech Noughties.”

Pete Aaron - Chronogram Magazine

““Like Mike Ness or Iron Cross’ Sab Grey, onetime Morons frontman Tim Livingston has settled into punk-rock middleagedom : still capable of the two-minute flame-thrower, but also digging roots rock, harmonicas and the mid-tempo in general, with political insight”

Harp Magazine

"..mid-seventies CBGB's folk-rock of "American Son", the spacy guitar psychedelics of "Help", plus the ripping "Tribulation Blues" which recalls vintage Richard Hell & the Voidoids. And when's the last time you heard a song that reminded you of Arthur Lee's "Message to Pretty"? .."

Jeff Jarema - Here Tis&#39; Magazine

"Featuring gravity-defying frontman Tim Livingston and powerhouse drummer Al Kash (both veterans of the very first LarkFest 32 years ago!), as well as razor-sharp guitarist Terry Plunkett and bassist Nick Bisanz, the band charged through a high-energy sonic assault, railing against corporate radio, mindless nostalgia and the powers that be. The themes may not be anything new, but the band played with the palpable passion of rebellion, adding a new-found metallic edge to their already potent brand of politico psych-punk."

"... A Celebration of Fury consists of seven songs that get you amped up and angry, encouraging you to embrace the frustration that everyone can relate to in today’s world. It’s a wake up to society, giving the people a voice and relaying the message that “United We Stand”. The album goes through the multiple emotional levels of rebellion and protest, with powerful lyrics that make you question authority and classic punk angst that can start mosh pits in any location. The Last Conspirators have broken their silence and have encouraged a musical political revolution, reminding the listener that they have the power for change..."

"The seven songs of ferocious protest punk on the album are far from passive, though; they’re more like a call-to-arms from a pitchfork-wielding yet morally righteous gang. “Radio Warfare” is a dark, rumbling anti-corporate warning shot fired from the underground, while the rollicking, pub-rocking “Somewhere Tonight in America” has a more ironic take on disenfranchisement in the U.S.A. “No Time for Egos” is a rallying call for scene unity, and title track “A Celebration of Fury” comes at the very end, wrapping up the potent album with a slogan-fueled anthem of empowerment for the rock and roll revolution."

“...psychedelic tribal vamp evolves into a chanting punk verse before finally blossoming into a glorious pop chorus.
Frontman Tim Livingston excels at writing hook-laden, politically charged paeans to pop culture, and his commando team play it rough and crunchy on the band’s powerhouse sophomore disc.
Other standouts include the Clash-like “Who Wants a Revolution Anyway?” and the ferocious, go-for-the-throat, garage-rock rumble of “History,” but there’s not a clunker in the bunch. “Long Live TV” (is this the third song Livingston has written about television?) evokes the ghost of Robert Hazard, while “It’s Late” is a tender and delicate ballad that stacks up the requisite dramatic refrains.
... New York Dolls played sixties psychedelic pop, this is what it would all sound like. Potent stuff.”